Jake Oram out of Australian series; Mason to have operation

BLACKCAPS all-rounder Jake Oram has been ruled out of the upcoming two-test tour of Australia as his back has not fully recovered from injury sustained in Bangladesh.

Oram returned home early after the first test in Bangladesh with stiffness and pain in the left side of his back. An MRI scan cleared Jacob of serious injury but he has not yet been able to resume full gym work. It is planned to have him start bowling again in about 10 days. He is expected to be fully fit for the West Indies tour of New Zealand starting in the middle of next month.

Michael Mason is to have a hernia operation on Friday, which will keep him out of cricket for three weeks.